Looking to see what interest people have in forming a new Unit in the Northeast which will offer an alternative to the traditional WBCCI Unit. The objectives of this unit is to promote fun, fellowship and adventure and make every effort to keep organizational structure and rules to a bear minimum.
Right now we are checking to see if we have sufficient interest in a Unit of this nature in the Northeast.

while we readers can not know all of the issues
and aren't able to feel what you feel,

i can't help but wonder...
is it too soon to do this?
what are all the motives for doing this?
do you even know yet...has enough time passed ?
i don't mean to suggest anything...it's just a question...

aren't you just starting another 'local unit' with a bigger locale?
certainly happened before and will again and it's a good thing...sometimes,
when 2 units in the same location form from a split,
folks with different interests and all...

but why not use your talents to pioneer a truely unique unit,
a global unit,
a national unit,
or a virtual unit
or a unit without geographic borders...
a 'wally without walls' unit!

and 'communicator' collected names of folks interested...
i gotta believe there were at least 10 folks..
i sent her my name but the only reply was 'thanks'
not one note or message or letter since...
so i think the motives were something else..
and not to get this virtual unit going...

so why don't you take this route...
and sign me up
and others

just some thoughts...
2air'

__________________

__________________all of the true things that i am about to tell you are shameless lies. l.b.j.

we are here on earth to fart around. don't let anybody tell you any different. k.v.

but why not use your talents to pioneer a truely unique unit,
a global unit,
a national unit,
or a virtual unit
or a unit without geographic borders...
a 'wally without walls' unit!

there is a long thread on the cyber/virtual unit....
and 'communicator' collected names of folks interested...
i gotta believe there were at least 10 folks..
i sent her my name but the only reply was 'thanks'
not one note or message or letter since...
so i think the motives were something else..
and not to get this virtual unit going...

2Air -- the missing communication from communicator is my fault and I apologize for "dropping the ball" She had no time for it, and passed it on to me, and it turned out I had no time for it, but I kept hoping to get back to it. Lame, lame, lame.

Anyway, I collected the names she sent me and a few more and there was almost 10 but not quite. I still think that a virtual/cyber/whatever-you-want-to-call-it unit along these lines -- international, managed via internet communication, inclusive, holding rallies wherever they form, and keeping to rgesch's MAL-function priorities of "just camping" get-togethers would be great.

I'm in the northeast and am happy in the NEU, but I would be willing to sign on as an associate to a new unit like rgesch describes.

If rgesch wants to go this direction, I'm a major supporter, just can't be a charter member.

I'm in the northeast and am happy in the NEU, but I would be willing to sign on as an associate to a new unit like rgesch describes.

If rgesch wants to go this direction, I'm a major supporter, just can't be a charter member.

Ditto, we'd sign on as associates too, but we enjoy and will not leave the New England Unit - I think the future of WBCCI depends on Units like the NEU - Units which are progressive and family friendly. Units who's members understand that it's "just camping" (thanks, Per). There is power in numbers, and our Unit membership is growing - strongly.

I'd love to see "rgesch" join the NEU as regular members, but this is for them to decide. I'll hang with them no matter what, they are great couple and a huge asset to the WBCCI (oh, and they are wicked fun too).

Just to keep perspective on this. First let me say I love the NEU and it would be easy to join this Unit and just sit back and enjoy myself until someone then asked me to be a part of the "organization" and serve as an officer and I would be right back where I was with WMNHU fighting the old battles, getting burned out, in as Communicator calls it a "spiritless enviornment".

This is an alternative to traditional Units. Even the Heart of Texas Camping Unit is too organized for what I have in mind. In order to be a chartered Unit you are bound by IBT rules in your format.

My first step is to hear from people who even have an interest. It could be that although we like talk about change and use the rules as part of our concern. People are not anymore interested in joining in the community experience even in a less structured enviornment. If this is the case then an alternative is not even needed because it serves no one.

This is an alternative to traditional Units. Even the Heart of Texas Camping Unit is too organized for what I have in mind. In order to be a chartered Unit you are bound by IBT rules in your format....

Could you explain more what you mean by the "Heart of Texas Caping Unit is too organized...". So, is what you are saying is you want to start a brand new *club* as opposed to a new *unit*? I thought that in order to be a WBCCI *unit*, you are bound to the "Blue Book" by-laws (see the excerpt below from the "Blue Book" which indicates how you would go about getting a new unit started)...

New Units Members wishing to organize a new Unit should request assistance from the Region President or from Headquarters. Such request received at Headquarters will be referred to the Region President who shall, upon determining there is a need for a new Unit within the Region, notify Headquarters and Headquarters shall forward the necessary instructions and materials to the members wishing to form the new Unit. Upon receipt of a Provisional Charter from the President of the Region, the Provisional Unit may collect Unit and International dues in the same manner as chartered Units pending the issuance of a Unit Charter by the InternationalBoard of Trustees. (1/19/96)

When the Provisional Unit has fulfilled the requirements as set forth in Article XI of the International Constitution (sufficient members and appointed officers), an application for a Unit Charter shall be made in writing to the International Board of Trustees through the President of the Region. (1/19/96)

I'm suggesting the possibility of having a group of people interested in gathering and camping in an "unchartered" Unit. as Members-at Large, members of no specifi Unit, no Region. If you are not "chartered" then surprise surprise, their are no specific rules that apply to how MAL conduct themselves. I think it was assumed MAL were not interested enough to be a part of the structure and Units in the old days. So they are this unique separate entity. To free your thinking from the "old school set up"...

Just give some thought as to what you really have as part of a Unit that you couldn't have as a MAL. Voting rights, insurance at gatherings. Okay well if this past meeting is any example my delegate didn't represent my club's wishes or my particular wish so what real vote did I have???? He changed my NO vote to a "YES".

This current hieiracy is volunteer so some do thing because "they think they can" and really are not as well informed. As far as the insurance I still wonder just what that all really means. I don't think we as members are any more protected. I think the organization is protected. having never laid eyes on the declaration page or actual policy I can't tell.

So again I ask what do Unit members have that MALS don't--Not Much!

So what is to stop a group of WBCCI to form a group with no rules, no dues, no fuss, no muss, no pressure to do a Region gathering. Which by the way is the officers responsibility not the Units...(read your Blue book boys and girls pg 41) you've been suckered into doing their work).

This is all very new to me. My A/S dealer was kind enough to complete an application to the WBCCI on my behalf which I signed and they submitted and paid for a 1 year membership. I have figured out that my home state of NY is in region 2, but beyond that, I'm not sure what to look for or expect until I receive the member materials in the mail.

I have read some of the posts with opinions of the pros and cons some see in the structure of the club. Having spent 20 years in a para-military employment organization, I know about formality, rules and regulations. But I am not sure I want all that in my liesure time. Having young children, my focus would be giving them an arena to enjoy the camping experience without me having to worry about meetings, formalities of what to wear, being required to display a particular banner or unit flag at any given time or place (if I understood some of the posts correctly) or other must-do protocols.

I do think it would be great to camp with fellow airstreamers who place the joy of Airstream camping first and the structure of a club last. Being brand new to this scene, I'm not making any conclusions, but freedom from expectations of others to do certain things that follow a strict club protocol at any given time would not rate high on my fun meter.

Yes- am looking for a group like you describe- also looking for short rallys to go to- a long weekend to meet up with other vintage airstreamers. Also have 2 other vintage trailers and would like to see a wide open group of vintage people share experience and knowledge at rallies!

Talk about kicking a dead horse already reborn as a camel. You can join The Airstreamers Club today. This is not WBCCI, however some do belong to both a WBCCI unit and TAC. Check out the TAC thread and send Rob an email. There will be TAC gatherings in the near future. Upcoming is "The Bash" at Rob's farm in NY. Watch for TAC gathering threads and I am sure Robin has already contacted you.

Yes- am looking for a group like you describe- also looking for short rallys to go to- a long weekend to meet up with other vintage airstreamers. Also have 2 other vintage trailers and would like to see a wide open group of vintage people share experience and knowledge at rallies!

Liz Carvey

Hi Liz
check out the WBCCI with June newsletter included (Thanks Pam!)

Wow-What a surprise to see this pop up. This thread began a long time ago I think as far back as 2004. SInce then TAC has been created and this seems to offer the difference venue that we all have been looking for. We joined.

RObin

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KB1UFI "Reality Is The Leading Cause Of Stress""There are only five great men in the world and three of them are hamburgers."